title: METODO, a prospective observational study to assess the efficacy and tolerability of methadone in heroin-addicted patients undergoing a methadone maintenance treatment: preliminary results at baseline evaluation.
abstract: METODO (methadone efficacy therapy optimization dosage on-going) is a prospective observational study to assess the efficacy and tolerability of methadone in 500 heroin-addicted patients taking a methadone maintenance treatment, enrolled through 2010 to 2011 in five Italian sites, observed over 2 years. The Opiate Dosage Adequacy Scale has been used for the evaluation of the "adequacy" of the methadone dosage and to stratify patients in adequate and not adequate groups. The treatment efficacy has been evaluated in correlation to the dosage adequacy during the visits. Moreover, patients have been evaluated according to the retention rate and duration of retention in treatment and a series of questionnaires.
authors.affiliation: 1Servizio Dipendenze, AUSL Pescara , Via Monte Faito, Pescara , Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro Fausto
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: D'Egidio
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bignamini
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Vivo
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pieri
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: González-Saiz
authors.forename: Alfio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucchini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D008691:Methadone